Moravian Defense Must Be Rebuilt

Offense Tough

WANTED: Defensive unit for Middle Atlantic Conference football contender. Must furnish at least two defensive backs, a set of linebackers, a pair of defensive ends (including one All-American) and a smattering of interior lineman. Full-time positions open. Apply post haste, Moravian College athletic director/head coach Rocco Calvo.

"For as much as we have offensively, that's how little we have defensively," lamented the veteran Moravian coach about his offensive glut and defensive famine at the opening of the Greyhounds' pre-season camp of 95 candidates.

"We've lost eight defensive starters . . . have to find replacements in the defensive secondary and must rebuild the interior line," Calvo said.

"The defensive secondary is the most critical task for us, but the defensive line is also a major project," he noted. "The championship team in this league is usually the best defensive club in the conference.

Calvo is in a quandary because of the departure of linebackers Brian Lewis, Doug Dahms and Bill Delfing, ends Charlie Malatesta and Associated Press Small College All-American Bob Henshaw, lineman John Motko, and defensive backs Paul Rogers and Tom Dartnell.

Offensively, the 'Hounds return the entire offensive line, two wide receivers, a top running back and two senior quarterbacks.

"We'll need some size at defensive tackle, and that will have to come from the incoming freshman. There will be a lot of new faces at various positions, yet it is difficult for high school kids to make the transition to college football."

Jimmy Joseph returns as Calvo's only experienced running back, but 6-1, 210-pound Ken Buggy - who saw some action a year ago - is expected to ease into the fullback slot. Depth could be a problem in the line and backfield if injuries crop up.

Godshall, who gained a year of eligibility after being injured against Widener last fall, and Rhinehart will fight for the starting slot at QB.

"I think it is a good situation," Calvo commented about the signal- calling duel. "It's going to be a great competition. You have to have a starting quarterback coming into camp, and that's Rhinehart. You have to go to pre-season practice and designate a guy to start, and he will be it.

"Frank was injured and Scott took over. I hope that Frank can return to his abilities, but we'll have to wait until we see what happens under game conditions.

"The offensive is very positive. We were able to generate three touchdowns a game, averaged over 320 yards, scored 13 touchdowns (passing and 13 rushing) and ran as well as we passed. If we can repeat last year's performance, we'll be pleased," he noted, citing 2,746 yards

"After working on the defense, we'd like to improve our kicking game," Calvo noted. "I have names (of recruited kickers), but I don't want to put them in any order. We'll have to find out who is the best as soon as possible.

For the first time since 1974, the 'Hounds will play a 10-game slate, adding Lebanon Valley to the card for a Sept. 28 meeting, and Calvo doesn't know that he can duplicate last season's seven victories.

"I have no idea that we can go 7-3 or 8-2," the former All-State quarterback assessed. "We've got to solve a lot of problems.

"It'll be Widener, Lycoming . . . then, after that, Juniata and Upsala," the long-time coach said, ranking his MAC opponents. "Widener lost a quarterback, but they have a great transfer from Swarthmore, and we expect that their back-ups from a year ago will be as talented as ever," he noted.

"Lycoming returned a lot of experience, but lost important people on defense. Delaware Valley lost a quarterback and wide receiver, Juniata should be a factor this year and Susquehanna and Upsala are always tough.

"We're talking about finding replacements in a hurry to be a good football team and we have just three weeks to develop personnel," he noted.

"One, we have to find capable replacements in the defensive secondary. Two, we have to rebuild the interior line. And three, we have to improve the kicking game.

"We have a lot of finding out to do about the defense and the kicking game, and they are two parts of the three parts that you have to have to be a good football team," Calvo said.

Moravian will meet Gettysburg in a home scrimmage Saturday. The club opens Sept. 14 against Widener at Moravian Field. Sixty-three upperclassmen and 32 freshman reported to camp on Aug. 22.